The smart approach to return to work begins with knowing the physical requirements of the job and understanding the employee’s injury. With those two pieces of knowledge the treatment can be job specific. Clinicians who understand these concepts are essential in managing your work-related injuries. As the acute/sub-acute phase of treatment winds down and the stakeholders are asking whether the employee can return to work, a return to work screen is an invaluable assessment tool for making the right return to work decision. If return to work full duty is not realistic, then a meaningful transitional duty program allows the employee to return to work more quickly minimizing costs and maximizing productivity.